The Samurai became the highest ranking social class during the Edo period (1603-1868). Samurai used a wide variety of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns. Their main weapon and symbol was the sword. During the samurai period the chief general in the army was known as the shogun. Minamoto Yoritomo was the shogun during this time period. Japans era came to an end in 1868, and then the samurai class was abolished.
History.
The Samurai became the highest ranking social class during the Edo period (1603-1868). Samurai used a wide variety of weapons such as bows and arrows, spears and guns. Their main weapon and symbol was the sword. During the samurai period the chief general in the army was known as the shogun. Minamoto Yoritomo was the shogun during this time period. Japans era came to an end in 1868, and then the samurai class was abolished.